Tag: workplace

Many people think about workplace injuries as those which befall farm laborers, auto mechanics, crab fishermen and bull-riders. Sometimes, though, the employee who gets hurt or killed on the job is very highly-paid star. James Hetfield of Metallica, for instance, was working when a pyrotechnic explosion set him on fire during a concert. From the Acadamy Awards to the Super Bowl, famous people have come up lame in hot pursuit of their chosen professions.

Entertainers In Jeopardy

Given the nature of his work, not too many people expressed much surprise when the news broke of Steve “The Crocodile Hunter” Irwin’s death from a stingray’s barb a few years back, but all expressed great sorrow. Irwin was a shooting star who left a trail of goodwill for (and understanding of) nature in his wake. Hollywood, too, has seen its share of leading men go down, including Jackie Chan (broken foot) and Paul Hogan (torn pectoral muscle). It’s an extra expense that the producers likely didn’t appreciate.

Unsportsmanlike Conduct

In pro football, there is clearly an escalated chance of suffering an injury in the course of one’s duties. Sometimes, though, the nature of the disability has more to do with conduct that is not sanctioned on the gridiron. Oakland Raiders linebacker Bill Romanowski found that out in 2003 after getting into a fight with teammate Marcus Williams during training camp. Romanowski pulled off Williams’ helmet and punched him in the face, breaking his orbital bone.

Rather than handing off the bills to his employer as a work-related matter, Williams sued his teammate directly. “This crossed the line,” he said. “This isn’t football.” Due in part to Romanowski’s volatile record on the field (he was once fined $4,500 for kicking another player in the head), Williams was victorious in court, although he only was awarded $340,000 of the $3.4 million he had sought in damages.

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